Police Chief: Suspect repeatedly stabbed Chaco in self-defense

Justice for the family of 37-year-old Ryan Loo Chaco.

Chaco’s body was found inside a burning home along Chalan Kareta in Dededo on Sept. 9.

Guam Police Chief Stephen Ignacio confirmed his detectives arrested two men in connection to the killing.

Twenty-five-old Eithen James Mendiola and 24-year-old Frank Joseph Reyes.

“Both confessed to their respective roles in Ryan’s death and the desecration of Ryan’s remains inclusive of the destruction of evidence. Eithen admitted to stabbing Ryan in self-defense as Ryan attempted to strangle and sexually assault Eithen. Frank admitted to his part in burning Ryan’s remains and the evidence long after Eithen and Ryan’s ordeal. The arson was an attempt to conceal the circumstances and Eithen’s role,” said Ignacio. 

Chaco suffered multiple stab wounds to his neck before Reyes allegedly tried to burn the evidence inside Chaco’s Dededo home.

Days after Chaco’s body was found, police tracked down Mendiola before letting him go.

“We identified the suspect within 36 hours but because there were numerous follow ups and interviews and working with the Attorney General and his prosecutors, we wanted to make sure that when an arrest was made that all the evidence was gathered and that we give them the best possible case. For prosecution,” Ignacio added. 

Mendiola was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, aggravated assault, destroying evidence, possession and use of a deadly weapon and guilt by complicity.

Reyes was arrested on suspicion of disinterring a corpse, destroying evidence, arson, obstruction of government functions and criminal facilitation.

With the pair now in custody, homicide investigators turn their attention to a separate killing that unfolded on Chalan Donne Street in Yigo on Sept. 11.

The top brass confirmed the victim is known to authorities, identifying him as Robert Revels.

“We have not established any direct or any indirect connections to the two homicides but based on our investigation we do know there seems to be the same circle of acquaintances. So people we were interviewing in the Ryan Chaco case were also involved with the other case,” he said. 

Sources close to the investigation said Revels was found badly beaten. Still, no motive has been revealed and no arrests have been made in connection to his death.